The Forensic Interview Toolbox (FIT) is structured to
help interviewers understand and access all of the best
practice methods available to the field of forensic
interviewing with children and vulnerable adults. In
recent years, research in the field of forensic
interviewing has been published at a rapid rate. This
expansion in the field allows interviewers to refer to a
wide range of best practice methods to obtain both
accurate and complete narratives from witnesses
(including victims) of not only sexual abuse, but a
myriad of other crimes. Previously, adherence to a
specific interview protocol was prudent; today
interviewers are being encouraged to familiarize
themselves with ongoing research, a variety of interview
approaches and best practice guidelines, the basis for
FIT.
This forensic interview technique is used with a
suspected victim/witness central to a crime, as well as
with those witnesses on the periphery of alleged
incidents. FIT can also be used to interview individuals
(siblings or other household members) exposed to alleged
suspects. Vulnerable individuals with sexualized or
other unusual behaviors concerning for abuse are also
appropriate for this interview model. FIT is a flexible,
semi-scripted, phased approach offering a range of
choices at every stage of the interview while
emphasizing methods supported by research. With the
understanding that every individual and every community
has differing needs for the interview, a
“one-protocol-fits-all” approach may not be suitable.
These guidelines utilize the concept of a toolbox
approach that teaches a wide variety of best practice
methods for every phase of the forensic interview. There
is no one right way to conduct a forensic interview. FIT
offers many options but is not exhaustive. Interviewers
may choose other questions instead. FIT helps
interviewers understand best practices to inform and
explain their choices. As best practices dictate, FIT
focuses on the use of open-ended invitations for
transition statements and within each phase. A range of
more focused questions are used with caution where
open-ended prompts are unsuccessful.
FIT is appropriate for the novice or experienced. It was
created for dedicated forensic interviewers, and for
those who conduct interviews as part of an investigatory
role such as Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) members in
law enforcement, legal, education, or adult and child
protection fields. FIT is designed for those who conduct
forensic interviews and for those who observe them. FIT
interviewing is not dispositive, as it is not intended
to prove or disprove allegations. FIT is a tool to
obtain complete narrative responses from individuals by
which investigators can proceed their inquiry and make
determinations.